Universal Newbie Help please

[Mrs. D]

Hi Guys,

New to Universal booking. Used DISboards and TGM last year to plan my families (Me, DH, DS 7 on trip, and DD 5) 1st trip tp Disney ever, and we had an awesome trip! I doubt it would have been so awesome w/o the boards....I've heard some horror stories of plenty of money down the drain just b/c folks were lost in the sauce

Anyway this year we are splitting the trip 8/9 -8/13 afternoon (checking out of Disney on morning of 8/13) and 8/13 -8/16 maybe 8/17 at Universal.

The reviews of HRH and RPR kind of equal out, some are great, some are not so great either place...I haven't seen a landslide either way....

Are there any REAL differences in service or anything, or is it just a preferenece? Is one better for kids?

Thought about the meal deal, but doesn't look to appetizing IMO...Any tips...(including links to posts I may have overlooked), good restaurants on or off Uni. property...anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys,

Mrs. D

 

[cbdmhgp]

Hi Guys,

New to Universal booking. Used DISboards and TGM last year to plan my families (Me, DH, DS 7 on trip, and DD 5) 1st trip tp Disney ever, and we had an awesome trip! I doubt it would have been so awesome w/o the boards....I've heard some horror stories of plenty of money down the drain just b/c folks were lost in the sauce

Anyway this year we are splitting the trip 8/9 -8/13 afternoon (checking out of Disney on morning of 8/13) and 8/13 -8/16 maybe 8/17 at Universal.

The reviews of HRH and RPR kind of equal out, some are great, some are not so great either place...I haven't seen a landslide either way....

Are there any REAL differences in service or anything, or is it just a preferenece? Is one better for kids?

Thought about the meal deal, but doesn't look to appetizing IMO...Any tips...(including links to posts I may have overlooked), good restaurants on or off Uni. property...anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys,

Mrs. D

We have stayed at both HRH and RPR. My kids preferred RPR when they were younger, and now they're 15,17.

HRH has a better pool, with their slide which everyone enjoys, even me an adult loved the slide. Plus, the pool at HRH has music playing underwater. the RPR pool is excellent as well with a boat with waterguns on it so the kids can play on.

The walk from RPR is shorter than the walk from HRH. Service at RPR is better, but the pool at HRH is the best so like you said it equals out. It jsut depends on wha you like i guess. If ou like tropical paradise then RPR is the answer. If you like music a lot then HRH is the answer. For your kids as young as they are, I would probably choose HRH, because of the SLIDE!

Now restaurants at CityWalk that we like are Margaritaville, NBA City, NASCAR Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe, and BUBBA GUMP Shrimp Co.

Hope this helps

 

[Mrs. D]

I think the HRH pool may be the selling point...My kids LOVE, pool slides, and I can't see myself lugging our stuff from one hotel to another to use their pool, even though it's an option...I'm kind of lazy

 

[calgarygary]

You probably spent hours on the dis and tgm to plan your trip to wdw last year. I'm sure there was likely some quiet satisfaction in getting the most out of your vacation time and knowing you were always one step ahead. Well you have already made the single most important decision impacting your universal trip - you're staying onsite. You can not imagine how fotl is going to spoil you and the rest of your family.

You are right about the meal deal - I personally consider it a waste unless you have teen boys (and those that eat like them) in your party. If you do, buy the meal deal for just those that will benefit and pay cash for the rest.

You didn't mention my preference in the hotels - PBH and I think its pool would be perfect for your kids and I'm sure you and your husband would love music of the night.

 

[Mrs. D]

You probably spent hours on the dis and tgm to plan your trip to wdw last year. I'm sure there was likely some quiet satisfaction in getting the most out of your vacation time and knowing you were always one step ahead. Well you have already made the single most important decision impacting your universal trip - you're staying onsite. You can not imagine how fotl is going to spoil you and the rest of your family.

You are right about the meal deal - I personally consider it a waste unless you have teen boys (and those that eat like them) in your party. If you do, buy the meal deal for just those that will benefit and pay cash for the rest.

You didn't mention my preference in the hotels - PBH and I think its pool would be perfect for your kids and I'm sure you and your husband would love music of the night.

Thank you so much for your response...I think we're staying at the HRH...My kids seem to NEED the slide

I've talked my husband into skipping the Meal Deal

I guess now I need to look at where I want to eat...I've heard Mytho's is a must do...

 

[calgarygary]

Here's a pic of the slide at PBH:

I'm in the minority about Mythos - most love it, I think the food is ok, the theming great but the service is so bad we'll never go back. If you can handle the spices, we love Bob Marley's.

 

[trudis]

Hi
Hope this helps as we stayed at the HRH this time last year after having previously stayed at the PBH which we loved.Our girls being 15 & 13 thought the HR might be more suited & we thought we 'd have a change.
Whilst the HR was great & an experience several things let it down for us....
pool extremely busy at all times & very difficult to get loungers poolside.
Room furnishings not so great, although we wanted non smoking we opted to go for smoking as all that available at check in or we faced a very long wait.What a mistake the room stank of smoke and the smell didn't go for several days. Also on several occasions got back to find no room service & had to call front desk to sort.
At the end of our stay we all decided next time it's back to PBH but I've heard great things about RPH too.
Re restaurants we love Maggiano's Little Italy @ Pointe Orlando but watch the portions they are huge.Also we love Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville although the girls hate me singing!!
Have a fantastic time wherever you stay soooooo jealous
Trudi (living in the UK)

 

[goofy!]

You didn't mention my preference in the hotels - PBH and I think its pool would be perfect for your kids and I'm sure you and your husband would love music of the night.

And the bonus is that the HRH pool is only a 10 minute stroll away if you really want to use it.

I love the beach pool with Sals pizza and a cold margarita

 

[mpstm]

We have stayed @ HRH 3 times, in 3 years! The pool is amazing, and so is the slide ! HOWEVER, My DH, DD (15 last trip), & DS (13 last trip) all noticed one thing about "young children" and the slide. Quite a few of them were afraid to go down it, and you are not able to take them down on your lap for their "trial run" (for safety reasons). The slide is GREAT THOUGH ! Very fast! We've never stayed at the other 2 properties (although my husband & I are going down this year, WITHOUT THE KIDS ,) so I'm not sure about the other's "child friendly" features. We will be staying @ RPR this time (no "king rooms" @ HRH) and hope it's great!
FOTL IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mrs. D]

Thanks everybody...well we decided on the RPR....but we will be pool hopping a little if we have time PBH's pool looks really cool. Only 2 months to go...seems like forever

 

[ky07]

Remeber that when you stay at any onsite Universal hotel that you can pool hop in fact they encourage it .

 

[Mrs. D]

Remeber that when you stay at any onsite Universal hotel that you can pool hop in fact they encourage it .